EuropaBio helps biotech SMEs

European biotech organisation launches publication to assist growth

Industry biotech organisation, EuropaBio, is launching a new publication focusing on biotech small-to-medium enterprises (SME) and what they need to allow them to champion smart, sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Europe.

Speaking about SMEs, Andrea Rappagliosi, chair of EuropaBio, said: "These enterprises have the high-end skills to deliver the innovative products and services and the smart, sustainable and inclusive growth that the EU is seeking. But if we want them to fulfil their potential there are some significant barriers that we need to break through. This new publication consolidates the aims and achievements of EuropaBio's SME Platform, highlights the obstacles still in the path of biotech SMEs and makes six clear recommendations on how to tackle them."

EuropaBio, which represents 1,800 SMEs, established its SME Platform in 2009, bringing together enterprises with national biotech industry associations, venture capitalists, financing bodies and other stakeholders.

EuropaBio secretary general, Nathalie Moll, added: "The Platform unites us in a vision for the future where Europe's world-class entrepreneurial scientists and researchers are able to spend more time in their labs creating solutions and innovating responsibly, rather than struggling with overwhelming administrative burdens and red tape."

Tom Saylor, chair of EuropaBio's SME Platform and CEO of SME Arecor, concluded: "In 2011 our SME Platform will continue to work towards improving access to the Risk Sharing Financing Facility, European Investment Bank loans and other sources of finance for growth for biotech SMEs, in line with the activities of the Hungarian Presidency. In addition, we will aim to improve the sharing of best practice across the Member States to support the development and sustainability of Biotech SMEs."

He added that EuropaBio's Most Innovative Biotech SME Award would run again this year, following the success of Addex Pharmaceuticals in last year's competition.